Tunnel closure frustrates Macomb County prosecutor

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith isn’t happy the tunnel connecting the county courthouse and Administration building remains closed after nearly seven months.

“It’s frustrating that after seven months, a tunnel that is structurally sound is still closed,” Smith said Monday. “This isn’t just about convenience. We have people who are carrying sensitive court documents, evidence and thousands of dollars in electronic equipment.”

The football-field length tunnel that runs under the old County Building and Cass Avenue in Mount Clemens was closed last April due to a fire that closed the old County building, which sits between the two structures. The fire damaged both stairwells that provided access from the tunnel. So the city of Mount Clemens fire marshal won’t allow the tunnel to reopen without an emergency exit for tunnel users.

Assistant County Executive Mark Deldin said officials will reopen an old entrance at the old county building to provide that access; he expects the tunnel to reopen before winter.

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“Our goal is to get it open before the snow flies and the assistant prosecutors and other people will be able to use it,” Deldin said.

But that doesn’t satisfy Smith, who blames the city of Mount Clemens. He said the city has tacked on several requirements to delay its opening, the most recent the requirment for a vestibule for a new emergency exit.

“Every time the county meets with the city, the city adds a new hurdle to climb,” he said. “I understand the need for an emergency exit, but a vestibule?”

More than half of Smith’s 55 assistant prosecutors and 50 additional staff members trek daily from the office in the Administration Building to the courthouse to handle cases and file documents. The closure has forced his staffers to lug their items while exposed to the outdoor elements.

It also has substantially reduced business at the Courthouse Café & Grill, which is located in the courthouse basement near the tunnel entrance and attracts many employees, the owner, Amir Eisho, said.

“I feel bad for the owner,” said a county employee who works in the Administration Building. “He’s lost all of our business.”

Deldin said he can’t criticize Mount Clemens fire officials for “looking out for the safety of people.”

“I don’t know the fire codes,” he said. “I’m sure they’re looking out for the best interest of the people who are using the tunnel. That could be a fire trap.”

Mount Clemens city and fire officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

Deldin said the tunnel had to remain closed for the first few months after the fire due to asbestos removal in the building. County officials only “a couple of months ago” came up with the plan to reopen the old entrance, he said.

About the Author

My beat is the courts of Macomb County and general assignment.
Read more of Jameson Cook's court coverage on his blog http://courthousedish.blogspot.com/ Reach the author at jamie.cook@macombdaily.com
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